Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Old Lady Zhu actually believed her grandson’s words. She realised that if she insisted Li Zhi take concubines to have children now, it would create a huge problem because Shen Qingqing was pregnant now. The child in Shen Qingqing’s belly was more important, and Old Lady Zhu became increasingly concerned about Shen Qingqing.

She hired two experienced midwives to live in the Marquis’ Mansion early on.

The imperial doctor had predicted that Shen Qingqing would give birth around mid-March. 

By the time Chinese New Year arrived, her belly had grown quite large and pointed. Seeing that Old Lady Zhu and Shen Qingqing’s mother said that the baby was going to be a boy.

At just seventeen, Shen Qingqing felt like she was still just a kid herself. The thought of whether she was having a boy or a girl hadn’t crossed her mind; she was just eager to have the baby. She loved that she could eat whatever she wanted without worrying about restrictions, but the constant taboos often left her feeling frustrated.

For instance, she had a strong craving for candied haws, a popular winter treat, but the elders warned that eating hawthorns could cause premature labor, so they forbade her from having any. Shen Qingqing got the reasoning behind it, but she still couldn’t get it out of her mind.

One evening, Li Zhi came home after dinner and headed to the backyard with something hidden behind his back. As he approached the east room, Yu Chan and Yu Die exchanged knowing smiles.

Shen Qingqing was resting on the warm couch by the window, feeling the weight of her belly. Once she settled in, she didn’t want to move. Spotting Li Zhi, she asked with curiosity, “You’re close with the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. Why are you back so early from his banquet?”

Li Zhi grinned and replied, “I have to go to the court the day after tomorrow, so I thought I’d keep you company for a bit.”

Shen Qingqing felt happy hearing that. Realising her husband was hiding something behind his back, she couldn’t stop asking, “What are you hiding behind your back?” 

Li Zhi glanced at her and slowly brought his left hand forward. 

Between his pale fingers, there was a bunch of bright red candied haws! 

Shen Qingqing’s eyes sparkled, and she sat up straight on the cozy couch. 

‘Ha ha… She looks like a little fox eager for a treat.’Li Zhi chuckled and settled next to her.

The candied haws he held were juicy, and Shen Qingqing’s mouth watered at the sight. But remembering her elders’ advice, she hesitated. “Maybe later, after the baby comes.” 

Li Zhi understood her concerns and gently reassured her. “I checked with the doctor, and it’s fine to have a little.” 

Still, Shen Qingqing wasn’t convinced. She thought it was better to be cautious. After eight months of pregnancy, she figured if she could hold out for another month, everything would go as they thought.

“Just take it away,” she insisted, turning her head. 

Seeing his wife long for the candied haws but hold back for their child made Li Zhi’s heart soften. ‘She doesn’t have to be so responsible; I just wanted to see her smile.’

There was an eight-year age gap between them, so in Li Zhi’s eyes, Shen Qingqing was like a little one who deserved all his affection and care.  

“Just take a bite,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and bringing the candied haws to her lips.  

The sweet and tangy aroma of the treat was too tempting for Shen Qingqing to resist. She glanced at Li Zhi and finally took a tiny bite of the fruit on top. The familiar sweet and sour flavour danced on her tongue, and she closed her eyes, enjoying the taste she had longed for so long. At that moment, she felt it was more tasty than any expensive food.

Li Zhi felt a sudden urge to eat and took a bite of the other half of the snack.  

Shen Qingqing finished first and noticed that even Li Zhi, the commander of the imperial guards, was enjoying such a small treat. She couldn’t help but smile. Once he was done, she straightened up, tilted her head back, and kissed him on the lips.  

Li Zhi was taken aback.  

It was the first time Shen Qingqing had kissed him so boldly.  

Looking into her sparkling almond-shaped eyes, Li Zhi chuckled, “I’ve never seen you this happy when I gave you gemstones and jade before.”  

Shen Qingqing replied with a playful snort, “It’s not about the size of the gift. I cherish your feelings.”  

Li Zhi nodded, saying earnestly, “Then next time, I’ll just get you some cheap jewellery.”  

“You better not!” Shen Qingqing exclaimed, playfully twisting his arm.

With that, Li Zhi felt a bit of discomfort. He also noticed that since his wife got pregnant, her mood had taken a turn for the worse. Back in the day, if she was upset, she’d just give him a dirty look or scold him a bit. But now, she’d pinch and twist him the moment she felt dissatisfied. 

But honestly, Li Zhi didn’t mind at all; he actually enjoyed the growing closeness between them. 

Before they knew it, March rolled around. With the arrival of spring, everything came back to life.

Shen Qingqing was on the verge of giving birth. Because of that, she felt a mix of excitement and nerves, and her sleepless nights were becoming more frequent. 

That night, she couldn’t drift off until around three. 

Li Zhi decided to help her sit up and gently asked, “What’s on your mind?” 

When Shen Qingqing looked up, her eyes were glistening with tears. 

Upon seeing that, Li Zhi’s expression changed, and just as he was about to say something, Shen Qingqing leaned against his shoulder and started to cry softly.

“Grandma keeps calling my belly ‘great-grandson, great-grandson’ every day. What if it’s a girl?” 

‘So that’s what was bothering her.’ Li Zhi kissed the top of her head and reassured her, “Having a daughter would be wonderful. I’d love to have a beautiful girl just like you.” 

Shen Qingqing looked up at him with a doubt.“Do you really mean that?” 

“Want me to swear on it?” he asked while raising his hand. 

Shen Qingqing quickly pulled his arm down, feeling a bit better but still anxious. “But Grandma really wants a great-grandson.”

Li Zhi casually remarked, “You know how it is—older folks are always eager for grandkids. We’re still young, though! This baby is a girl, but the next one could be a boy. Just have more kids, no need to stress.” 

Shen Qingqing frowned. “But what if I just keep having daughters?” 

Noble Concubine Chun had two little princesses herself. The girl was getting anxious about the whole thing, so Li Zhi wanted to lift her spirits. “As long as you keep having kids for me, I’ll spoil you rotten. I’ll make sure each of our daughters has a dowry that’ll last them a lifetime. And if you want a Marquis title, I can adopt a nephew from my second brother to carry my name.” 

Shen Qingqing wasn’t having any of that. All of Li Zhi’s wealth and titles would go to their child. At just seventeen, she knew it was only a matter of time before she had a son. 

“Let’s not worry about that right now,” Shen Qingqing said with a yawn, cutting off Li Zhi’s thoughts about adoption. 

“Ready to sleep?” Li Zhi asked with a grin. 

Shen Qingqing nodded, and they settled back down. With her belly being so big, she could only lie on her side. 

Li Zhi wrapped his arms around her for a bit, but he realized it might get uncomfortable if he held her too long. After a while, he gently shifted her to lie on her back instead.

Just as Li Zhi was drifting off, he heard her soft voice whisper in his ear. “If I had known you’d treat me this well, I would have let go of the past right after we got married.” 

Li Zhi paused, reflecting on their first encounter. Back then, he honestly didn’t care if she lived or died. Sure, he treated her well after they tied the knot, but was it enough for her to forget the past? 

Honestly, no. 

Everything he offered her came too easily. He could shower her with sweet words whenever he wanted, and she could indulge in gold and silver jewellery without a second thought. He never had to worry about anything. 

What Li Zhi truly desired was her trust and her willingness to be his wife. When she finally believed it and voiced it, he was surprised to find that instead of feeling proud of his success. Moreover, he was hit with an unexpected wave of shame. 

Luckily, that feeling was fleeting. After giving her shoulder a gentle pat and listening to her breathing settle into a calm rhythm, Li Zhi finally fell asleep. 

The next day, while on duty in the palace, he received an urgent message from the Marquis’s Mansion: his wife was about to give birth!

End of chapter 47